Michigan Engineering
Black Students in Aerospace is in their second year of existence at the University of Michigan. More than doubling their initial membership, they’ve risen to the top of student organizations in their dedication and initiative in creating community and programs that embody the MLK Spirit.
BSA organized and hosted the only Aerospace event during 2022 for Black History Month on Mentorship, Allyship and Sponsorship with black leaders in the Aerospace industry, including Dean Alec Gallimore. They have partnered with other student organizations to host the department-wide DEI Mixers all fall and continually volunteer first to lead department programs.
One of their primary goals is to give members an opportunity to see themselves in the industry by attending events and conferences. Their funding partially goes to help students who don’t have the funds to do so get the chance to have these experiences. BSA works with the National Society of Black Engineers’ Aerospace sub-group to create a strong U-M presence at national conferences and to plan and staff the bi-annual conference held in Detroit in 2022.
Their nominator may have said it best when they related that they personally are “… inspired and humbled by BSA’s generosity, energy, and determination. BSA for me embodies what excellence means, what DEI efforts strive for, and what people-first engineering is about!”
Being your best DEI self: Think of a time when you were at your best at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion. What happened? Who was there? Why did you feel at your best?
“BSA as an organization was at our best at advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion when we held a Mentorship, Allyship, and Sponsorship panel with 5 Black aerospace professionals during Black History Month. This event was held to not only serve as advice for young Black and minority students who would soon be entering the workspace, but it also served to educators, allies, and the general College of Engineering body on how to support marginalized people and be inclusive in the workplace. This event was open to all members of the larger University of Michigan community, and the audience included fellow students, professors, staff, parents, and professionals in the engineering field. In the hybrid format, the total number of attendees exceeded 130, being one of the largest events that we have ever put on. This felt as if we were at our best for two reasons. One, because the event could serve to educate anybody and everybody. Minorities who are already familiar with the common workplace and school micro- and macro aggressions could stand to learn and be inspired by the wisdom being imparted by the 5 panelists and those who often find themselves in the gender and racial majority within STEM could learn how to help uplift those around them through being an ally and an advocate for others. Two, because this event was ideated, planned, and actualized fully by BSA. We had created natural connections with a majority of the panelists from past conferences that we have attended and past events that we had put on. In wanting to have an event for Black History Month, we facilitated and handled the communications and logistics with the 5 panelists and two of our founding members acted as the hosts and moderators for the event. The hard work and determination of our members resulted in a very impactful event. As we continue to expand our organization and horizons, that event serves as a blueprint for how we can put on more events to enrich, inspire, and provide opportunities for members of Michigan Engineering and the university as a whole.”
— Erin Levesque, Member of Black Students in Aerospace
In envisioning the future, how would you describe progress in the realm of diversity, equity, and inclusion? What might it look like?
“In the future of engineering, DEI progress will look like true equity. Institutions will recognize that people have varied backgrounds and experiences, and will actively work to create resources that allow everyone the possibility to succeed. DEI progress means that organizations such as BSA will not be revolutionary because it is shocking that an aerospace department has enough Black students to form an organization. DEI progress means genuinely changing the image the world envisions when they think about what an engineer looks like. Children of all racial and socioeconomic backgrounds would not feel that they cannot one day be engineers because they do not know any that share their identity. Engineers from underrepresented backgrounds will no longer be doubted, quieted, or mistreated because their peers do not respect them equally.”
— Erin Levesque, Member of Black Students in Aerospace
What does it mean to you to be a recipient of the MLK Spirit Awards?
“This nomination means a tremendous amount to BSA. As a newer organization, it is not always clear which path to take when brainstorming event ideas that will be impactful and engaging for the community. To receive this nomination really shows us that our efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we hope to continue to do meaningful work that the College of Engineering is supportive of.”
— Erin Levesque, Member of Black Students in Aerospace